Gael Monfils’ retirement announcement has made Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys think about how they will end their own careers.
Monfils announced he would retire at the end of the 2026 season, bringing an end to his decorated career that began all the way back in 2004.
The Frenchman is one of the most popular players on tour, which has been evident by the reaction that has included Novak Djokovic sending a message to Monfils.
Now, both Pegula and Keys have given their verdict on Monfils’ news and revealed what it has made them think about their own retirements.
Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys react to Gael Monfils’ retirement announcement
Although it has not been confirmed, Monfils appears to be planning a farewell schedule throughout the 2026 season that seems likely to finish at the Paris Masters.
When reacting to Monfils’ announcement on ‘The Player’s Box Podcast’, Pegula and Keys suggested that they would not want to do a whole year of farewells and would likely make a different decision when they decide to end their careers.
“I thought it was sick. I thought the video was really cool,” Pegula said about Monfils’ announcement video. “Elena talking French. It was like a movie, it was awesome.
“I feel like he is going out and I like the way he is doing it. He is going to have a whole year where everyone is just going to be super excited but sad to see him go. I feel like he is going to get a lot of good courts, bigger courts. It seems cool.”
Keys responded, “I guess my thing is would you want people to know that every single match at every tournament is your last match at that tournament? So it’s a thing for the whole year. I think I personally will just be like all of a sudden walk into a press conference and say that was it. Bye!”
Pegula added, “I think with his personality it fits. I think it just depends on the person. I think a whole year of knowing that would stress me out. I maybe would do half a year, like the last half of the year if I did make an announcement. A full year is a lot.
“But I feel that is so him. He is going to put on a show every match he plays. I’m sure he will play a somewhat limited schedule.”
When did Jessica Pegula recently say she could retire from tennis?
While neither Keys nor Pegula have explicitly said when they are thinking about retiring from tennis, the latter did recently give a hint on the matter.
In an appearance on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Pegula revealed that she would not still be playing at 35 years old.
Pegula, who is currently 31, suggested that the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 was something that she would be targeting in the latter stages of her career.
“I will definitely not be playing at 35,” said Pegula. “I think that is where I for sure have to stop. I think it would be cool to maybe try and make the Olympics because it’s in LA in a couple of years.”
Pegula will still be targeting a maiden major title, something that Keys achieved at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Before then, the world number six will look to confirm her qualification for the WTA Finals this year, which Keys is already guaranteed to play as a Grand Slam champion.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
